U.S. patent application number 17/240579 was filed with the patent office on 2021-11-04 for information processing device, control device, vehicle, and water sprinkling method.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Yusuke FUTAKUCHI, Ryo KAMIMURA, Daisuke NAKATA, Koichi SUZUKI, Yuki TATSUMOTO, Naoki UENOYAMA.
Application Number | 20210339752 17/240579 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005581638 |
Filed Date | 2021-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210339752 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
UENOYAMA; Naoki ; et
al. |
November 4, 2021 |
INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, CONTROL DEVICE, VEHICLE, AND WATER
SPRINKLING METHOD
Abstract
An information processing device includes a communication unit
and a control unit. The control unit is configured to determine a
water sprinkling place based on information indicating a road
surface condition and is configured to send, to at least one
vehicle that is going to travel on the water sprinkling place, a
notification instructing to sprinkle waste water of the at least
one vehicle by the communication unit.
Inventors: |
UENOYAMA; Naoki;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) ; SUZUKI; Koichi; (Nagoya-shi,
JP) ; KAMIMURA; Ryo; (Sunto-gun, JP) ; NAKATA;
Daisuke; (Seto-shi, JP) ; TATSUMOTO; Yuki;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) ; FUTAKUCHI; Yusuke;
(Nisshin-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Toyota-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Toyota-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000005581638 |
Appl. No.: |
17/240579 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60W 2552/53 20200201;
H04W 4/46 20180201; G08G 1/0112 20130101; B60W 40/06 20130101; G08G
1/0133 20130101; G08G 1/0141 20130101; B60W 2554/4049 20200201;
B60W 2555/20 20200201 |
International
Class: |
B60W 40/06 20060101
B60W040/06; G08G 1/01 20060101 G08G001/01; H04W 4/46 20060101
H04W004/46 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 30, 2020 |
JP |
2020-080715 |
Claims
1. An information processing device comprising: a communication
unit; and a control unit configured to determine a water sprinkling
place based on information indicating a road surface condition and
configured to send, to at least one vehicle that is going to travel
on the water sprinkling place, a notification instructing to
sprinkle waste water of the at least one vehicle by the
communication unit.
2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:
the information indicating the road surface condition is
information indicating a temperature of a road surface; and the
control unit is configured to determine a road surface with a
temperature below a first threshold temperature as the water
sprinkling place.
3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein
a temperature of the waste water to be sprinkled is above the first
threshold temperature.
4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:
the information indicating the road surface condition is
information indicating a temperature of a road surface; and the
control unit is configured to determine a road surface with a
temperature above a second threshold temperature as the water
sprinkling place.
5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:
the information indicating the road surface condition is
information indicating a temperature of a road surface; and the
control unit is configured to determine a road surface having a
temperature above a second threshold temperature and including a
crosswalk as the water sprinkling place.
6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:
the information indicating the road surface condition is
information indicating a temperature of a road surface; and the
control unit is configured to determine a road surface having a
temperature above a second threshold temperature and having a
sidewalk located in a lateral direction of the road surface as the
water sprinkling place.
7. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein
the control unit is configured to estimate the temperature of the
road surface by analyzing position information and thermal image
data of the at least one vehicle received by the communication
unit.
8. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:
the information indicating the road surface condition is
information indicating an amount of dust on a road surface; and the
control unit is configured to determine a road surface with an
amount of dust larger than a first threshold amount as the water
sprinkling place.
9. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:
the information indicating the road surface condition is
information indicating a pavement condition of a road surface; and
the control unit is configured to determine an unpaved road surface
as the water sprinkling place.
10. The information processing device according to claim 1,
wherein: the information indicating the road surface condition is
information indicating a traffic volume of moving objects; and the
control unit is configured to determine a road surface with a
traffic volume of moving objects smaller than a second threshold
volume as the water sprinkling place.
11. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein
the control unit is configured to estimate the vehicle that is
going to travel on the water sprinkling place based on position
information of the at least one vehicle received by the
communication unit.
12. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein
the control unit is configured to determine that a preset reward is
going to be given to a vehicle having performed sprinkling of the
waste water out of a plurality of the vehicles that is going to
travel on the water sprinkling place, in a case where the control
unit sends the notification instructing to sprinkle the waste water
to the vehicles by the communication unit.
13. The information processing device according to claim 12,
wherein the vehicles are vehicles that are utilized by a vehicle
rental service, and the reward is a discount on rental of the
vehicle that is utilized by the vehicle rental service.
14. A control device comprising a control unit configured to cause
a water sprinkling device to sprinkle waste water on a water
sprinkling place determined based on information indicating a road
surface condition.
15. A vehicle comprising: a control device including a control
unit; and a water sprinkling device, wherein the control unit is
configured to cause the water sprinkling device to sprinkle waste
water on a water sprinkling place determined based on information
indicating a road surface condition.
16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein: the vehicle is a
vehicle of a preset level of driving automation; and the control
unit is configured to control driving of the vehicle such that the
water sprinkling place is included in a planned travel route of the
vehicle.
17. The vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle is
utilized by a delivery service.
18. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the waste water is
generated by an air conditioner mounted on the vehicle.
19. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein: the vehicle is a
fuel cell vehicle; and the waste water is generated in a fuel cell
stack of the vehicle.
20. A water sprinkling method comprising: determining a water
sprinkling place based on information indicating a road surface
condition by an information processing device; and sprinkling waste
water on the water sprinkling place by at least one vehicle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2020-080715 filed on Apr. 30, 2020, incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to information processing
devices, control devices, vehicles, and water sprinkling
methods.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] An on-board fuel cell system is known which controls
draining of liquid water so that the liquid water will not be
drained to the outside of a vehicle when the road surface condition
immediately below the vehicle is presumed to be a predetermined
road surface condition (e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent
Application Publication No. 2006-99994 (JP 2006-99994 A)).
SUMMARY
[0004] The above fuel cell system has room for improvement
regarding draining of waste water to the outside of the vehicle.
For example, the above fuel cell system does not disclose a place
to which water is drained.
[0005] The present disclosure provides improving an external
environment by draining water from a vehicle.
[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure is an information
processing device. The information processing device includes a
communication unit and a control unit. The control unit is
configured to determine a water sprinkling place based on
information indicating a road surface condition and is configured
to send, to at least one vehicle that is going to travel on the
water sprinkling place, a notification instructing to sprinkle
waste water of the at least one vehicle by the communication
unit.
[0007] In the first aspect, the information indicating the road
surface condition may be information indicating a temperature of a
road surface, and the control unit may be configured to determine a
road surface with a temperature below a first threshold temperature
as the water sprinkling place.
[0008] In the first aspect, a temperature of the waste water to be
sprinkled may be above the first threshold temperature.
[0009] In the first aspect, the information indicating the road
surface condition may be information indicating a temperature of a
road surface, and the control unit may be configured to determine a
road surface with a temperature above a second threshold
temperature as the water sprinkling place.
[0010] In the first aspect, the information indicating the road
surface condition may be information indicating a temperature of a
road surface, and the control unit may be configured to determine a
road surface having a temperature above a second threshold
temperature and including a crosswalk as the water sprinkling
place.
[0011] In the first aspect, the information indicating the road
surface condition may be information indicating a temperature of a
road surface, and the control unit may be configured to determine a
road surface having a temperature above a second threshold
temperature and having a sidewalk located in a lateral direction of
the road surface as the water sprinkling place.
[0012] In the first aspect, the control unit may be configured to
estimate the temperature of the road surface by analyzing position
information and thermal image data of the at least one vehicle
received by the communication unit.
[0013] In the first aspect, the information indicating the road
surface condition may be information indicating an amount of dust
on a road surface, and the control unit may be configured to
determine a road surface with an amount of dust larger than a first
threshold amount as the water sprinkling place.
[0014] In the first aspect, the information indicating the road
surface condition may be information indicating a pavement
condition of a road surface, and the control unit may be configured
to determine an unpaved road surface as the water sprinkling
place.
[0015] In the first aspect, the information indicating the road
surface condition may be information indicating a traffic volume of
moving objects, and the control unit may be configured to determine
a road surface with a traffic volume of moving objects smaller than
a second threshold volume as the water sprinkling place.
[0016] In the first aspect, the control unit may be configured to
estimate the vehicle that is going to travel on the water
sprinkling place based on the position information of the at least
one vehicle received by the communication unit.
[0017] In the first aspect. the control unit may be configured to
determine that a preset reward is going to be given to a vehicle
having performed sprinkling of the waste water out of a plurality
of the vehicles that is going to travel on the water sprinkling
place, in a case where the control unit sends the notification
instructing to sprinkle the waste water to the vehicles by the
communication unit.
[0018] In the first aspect, the plurality of vehicles may be
vehicles that are utilized by a vehicle rental service, and the
reward may be a discount on rental of the vehicle that is utilized
by the vehicle rental service.
[0019] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a control
device. The control device includes a control unit configured to
cause a water sprinkling device to sprinkle waste water on a water
sprinkling place determined based on information indicating a road
surface condition.
[0020] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle. The
vehicle includes: a control device including a control unit; and a
water sprinkling device. The control unit is configured to cause
the water sprinkling device to sprinkle waste water on a water
sprinkling place determined based on information indicating a road
surface condition.
[0021] In the third aspect, the vehicle may be a vehicle of a
preset level of driving automation, and the control unit may be
configured to control driving of the vehicle so that the water
sprinkling place is included in a planned travel route of the
vehicle.
[0022] In the third aspect, the vehicle may be utilized by a
delivery service.
[0023] In the third aspect, the waste water maybe generated by an
air conditioner mounted on the vehicle.
[0024] In the third aspect, the vehicle may be a fuel cell vehicle,
and the waste water may be generated in a fuel cell stack of the
vehicle.
[0025] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a water
sprinkling method. The water sprinkling method includes:
determining a water sprinkling place based on information
indicating a road surface condition by an information processing
device; and sprinkling waste water on the water sprinkling place by
at least one vehicle.
[0026] According to the first, second, third, and fourth aspects of
the present disclosure, an external environment can be improved by
draining water from a vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial
significance of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be
described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which like signs denote like elements, and wherein:
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a water sprinkling
system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed
configuration of the water sprinkling system shown in FIG. 1;
and
[0030] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of
operation of the water sprinkling system shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0031] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings. Of the components
shown in the drawings, the same components are denoted with the
same signs.
System Configuration
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, a water sprinkling system 1 according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an information
processing device 10 and at least one vehicle 20. In the water
sprinkling system 1, waste water of the vehicle 20 is sprinkled to
a water sprinkling place determined by the information processing
device 10.
[0033] The information processing device 10 and the vehicle 20 can
communicate with each other via a network 2. The network 2 may be
any network such as a mobile communication network or the
Internet.
[0034] The information processing device 10 may be any server. The
information processing device 10 may be a vehicle rental server
that provides a vehicle rental service. The vehicle rental service
may be a service that provides leasing or rental of vehicles such
as fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) or may be a service that provides a
car sharing service. The information processing device 10 may be a
vehicle dispatch server that provides a vehicle dispatch service.
The vehicle dispatch service may be a service that dispatches an
automobile etc. to a place designated by a user. The information
processing device 10 may be a delivery server that provides a
delivery service. The delivery service may be a service that
provides delivery of packages.
[0035] The information processing device 10 may be a dedicated
computer, general-purpose personal computer, cloud computing
system, etc. configured to function as a server.
[0036] The vehicle 20 may be any type of automobile. For example,
the vehicle 20 is a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hybrid
vehicle (HV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), an electric vehicle
(EV), an FCV, etc. The vehicle 20 may be driven by a driver.
Driving of the vehicle 20 may be automated at any level. For
example, the level of driving automation is one of levels 1 to 5
defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The vehicle
20 may be a vehicle exclusively for Mobility as a Service
(MaaS).
[0037] The vehicle 20 may be utilized as a rental vehicle when the
information processing device 10 is a vehicle rental server. The
vehicle 20 may be a lease or rental FCV when the information
processing device 10 is a vehicle rental server that provides
leasing or rental of FCVs. The vehicle 20 may be utilized as a
shared vehicle for a car sharing service when the information
processing device 10 is a vehicle rental server that provides a car
sharing service. The vehicle 20 may be utilized as a taxi for a
vehicle dispatch service when the information processing device 10
is a vehicle dispatch server. The vehicle 20 may be utilized as a
delivery vehicle for a delivery service when the information
processing device 10 is a delivery server. When the vehicle 20 is a
delivery vehicle, the vehicle 20 may be a vehicle of any level of
driving automation.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 10
includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control
unit 13.
[0039] The communication unit 11 can be configured to include at
least one communication module that can be connected to the network
2. For example, the communication module is a module compatible
with a standard for a wired local area network (LAN), a wireless
LAN, etc. The communication unit 11 can be connected to the network
2 by the communication module via a wired LAN or a wireless
LAN.
[0040] The storage unit 12 can be configured to include at least
one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least
one optical memory, or a combination of at least two selected from
the group consisting of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory,
and an optical memory. The semiconductor memory is, e.g., a random
access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). The RAM is, e.g.,
a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access
memory (DRAM). The ROM is, e.g., an electrically erasable
programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit 12 may
function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or
a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores data to be used for
operation of the information processing device 10 and data obtained
by operation of the information processing device 10.
[0041] The control unit 13 can be configured to include at least
one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination
thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a
central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU),
or a dedicated processor specializing in a specific process. The
dedicated circuit is, e.g., a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)
or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control
unit 13 can execute a process related to operation of the
information processing device 10 while controlling each unit of the
information processing device 10.
[0042] Functions of the information processing device 10 can be
implemented by executing an information processing program
according to the present embodiment by a processor corresponding to
the control unit 13. That is, the functions of the information
processing device 10 can be implemented by software. The
information processing program can cause a computer to function as
the information processing device 10 by causing the computer to
perform operation of the information processing device 10. That is,
the computer can function as the information processing device 10
by performing operation of the information processing device 10
according to the information processing program.
[0043] In the present disclosure, the "program" can be recorded on
a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium. The
computer-readable non-transitory recording medium is, e.g., a
magnetic recording device, an optical disc, a magneto-optical
recording medium, or a ROM. The program may be distributed by,
e.g., selling, transferring, or renting out a portable recording
medium such as a digital versatile disc (DVD) or a compact disc
read only memory (CD-ROM) having the program recorded thereon. The
program may be stored in a storage of a server. The program stored
in the storage of the server may be distributed by transferring
this program to other computers. The program may be provided as a
program product.
[0044] In the present disclosure, the "computer" may temporarily
store, e.g., the program recorded on a portable recording medium or
the program transferred from a server in a main storage device. The
computer can also read the program stored in the main storage
device by a processor and execute a process according to the read
program by the processor. The computer may read the program
directly from a portable recording medium and execute a process
according to the program. The computer may execute a process
according to the received program every time the program is
transferred from a server to the computer. The computer may execute
a process by what is called an application service provider (ASP)
service that does not transfer the program from a server to the
computer but implements functions by merely sending execution
instructions and acquiring results. The program can include
information that is used for processing by the computer and that is
equivalent to the program. For example, data that is not a direct
command for the computer but has properties defining a process to
be executed by the computer is the "data equivalent to the
program."
[0045] A part or all of the functions of the information processing
device 10 may be implemented by a dedicated circuit corresponding
to the control unit 13. That is, a part or all of the functions of
the information processing device 10 may be implemented by
hardware.
Process of Determining Water Sprinkling Place
[0046] The control unit 13 determines a water sprinkling place
based on information indicating the road surface condition. As will
be described later, waste water of the vehicle 20 is sprinkled on
the water sprinkling place. An external environment can be improved
as will be described later by sprinkling the waste water of the
vehicle 20 on the water sprinkling place. The information
indicating the road surface condition may be information that
allows determination of whether the external environment will be
improved by sprinkling the waste water to the road surface.
Examples of the information indicating the road surface condition
and the process of determining a water sprinkling place will be
described.
EXAMPLE 1
[0047] The information indicating the road surface condition may
include information indicating the temperature of the road surface.
In this example, the control unit 13 may determine the road surface
with a temperature below a first threshold temperature as a water
sprinkling place. The control unit 13 may receive position
information of the vehicle 20 and thermal image data of the road
surface generated by the vehicle 20 from at least one vehicle 20
via the network 2 by the communication unit 11. The control unit 13
may estimate the temperature of the road surface by analyzing the
received thermal image data of the road surface. When the estimated
temperature of the road surface is below the first threshold
temperature, the control unit 13 may acquire the position
information of the vehicle 20 received from the vehicle 20 as
position information of the water sprinkling place.
[0048] The first threshold temperature may be set as appropriate
based on the freezing temperature of the road surface. The first
threshold temperature may be set as appropriate based on the
freezing point of water etc. For example, the first threshold
temperature is the freezing point of water or below.
[0049] The possibility that the road surface may freeze can be
reduced by sprinkling the waste water of the vehicle 20 on the road
surface with a temperature below the first threshold temperature.
That is, the external environment can be improved. As will be
described later, when the vehicle 20 is caused to sprinkle the
waste water, the vehicle 20 may sprinkle the waste water with a
preset set temperature or higher. The set temperature is the first
threshold temperature or higher. As will be described later, the
set temperature may be determined as appropriate according to the
structure of a battery or motor of the vehicle 20. The possibility
that the road surface may freeze can further be reduced by
sprinkling the waste water with the set temperature or higher. As
will be described later, when the vehicle 20 is caused to sprinkle
the waste water, the vehicle 20 may spread either or both of an
anti-icer and a deicer.
[0050] When the control unit 13 determines that the road surface
with a temperature below the first threshold temperature is located
in an area where snow has been observed, the control unit 13 may
determine this road surface as a water sprinkling place.
[0051] The control unit 13 may receive weather information from an
external server via the network 2 by the communication unit 11. The
external server may be any server that provides weather
information. The weather information may be information on observed
or forecasted weather in e.g., a preset area. The control unit 13
may determine based on the weather information whether the road
surface with a temperature below the first threshold temperature is
located in an area where snow has been observed.
EXAMPLE 2
[0052] In the case where the information indicating the road
surface condition includes the information indicating the
temperature of the road surface, the control unit 13 may determine
the road surface with a temperature above a second threshold
temperature as a water sprinkling place. The control unit 13 may
estimate the temperature of the road surface in a manner similar to
that of Example 1 described above. When the estimated temperature
of the road surface is above the second threshold temperature, the
control unit 13 may acquire the position information of the vehicle
20 received from the vehicle 20 as position information of the
water sprinkling place, as in Example 1.
[0053] The second threshold temperature is higher than the first
threshold temperature. The second threshold temperature may be set
as appropriate based on the rise of the road surface temperature,
e.g., during the day in summer. For example, the second threshold
temperature is the average road surface temperature during the day
in summer in fine weather. The second threshold temperature may be
set as appropriate based on the impact of radiant heat from the
road surface on small dogs, children, etc. The second threshold
temperature may be determined as appropriate based on the heat
resistant temperature of a road surface pavement material. For
example, the second threshold temperature is the heat resistant
temperature of the road surface pavement material or below.
[0054] By sprinkling the waste water of the vehicle 20 on the road
surface with a temperature above the second threshold temperature,
the waste water sprinkled on the road surface can take heat away
from either or both of the road surface or an area around the road
surface and evaporate from the road surface. As the waste water
sprinkled on the road surface takes heat away from either or both
of the road surface or the area around the road surface and
evaporates from the road surface, either or both of the road
surface and the area around the road surface can be cooled. That
is, the external environment can be improved. Moreover, for
example, in the case where the second threshold temperature is set
based on the rise of the road surface temperature during the day in
summer, the possibility that pedestrians etc. in the area around
the road surface may feel discomfort from heat can be reduced as
the area around the road surface is cooled. For example, in the
case where the second threshold temperature is determined based on
the heat resistant temperature of the road surface pavement
material, deterioration of the road surface pavement material can
be reduced as the road surface is cooled.
EXAMPLE 3
[0055] In the case where the information indicating the road
surface condition includes the information indicating the
temperature of the road surface, the control unit 13 may determine
the road surface having a temperature above the second threshold
temperature and including a crosswalk as a water sprinkling place.
The road surface including a crosswalk may include an area of the
road surface that is occupied by the vehicle 20 when the vehicle 20
stops temporarily at the crosswalk. The control unit 13 may
estimate the temperature of the road surface in a manner similar to
that of Example 1. When the estimated temperature of the road
surface is above the second threshold temperature and the road
surface includes a crosswalk, the control unit 13 may acquire the
position information of the vehicle 20 received from the vehicle 20
as position information of the water sprinkling place, as in
Example 1.
[0056] The control unit 13 may receive map information from an
external server of a local government etc. via the network 2 by the
communication unit 11. The control unit 13 may determine based on
the map information whether the road surface with a temperature
above the second threshold temperature includes a crosswalk. The
control unit 13 may receive captured image data of the surroundings
of the vehicle 20 together with the thermal image data from the
vehicle 20 via the network 2 by the communication unit 11. The
control unit 13 may detect the road surface having a temperature
above the second threshold temperature and including a crosswalk by
analyzing the thermal image data and captured image data received
from the vehicle 20.
[0057] There is a case where the vehicle 20 stops at a crosswalk.
This includes when the traffic light turns red. While the vehicle
20 is stopped, the driver of the vehicle 20 can take a hand off the
steering wheel to input a draining instruction via an input unit 43
that will be described later. An area around the crosswalk etc. can
be cooled by sprinkling waste water of the vehicle 20 on the road
surface including the crosswalk. That is, the external environment
can be improved. Moreover, the possibility that pedestrians etc.
crossing the crosswalk may feel discomfort from heat can be reduced
as the area around the crosswalk etc. is cooled.
EXAMPLE 4
[0058] In the case where the information indicating the road
surface condition includes the information indicating the
temperature of the road surface, the control unit 13 may determine
the road surface having a temperature above the second threshold
temperature and having a sidewalk located in the lateral direction
of the road surface as a water sprinkling place. The control unit
13 may estimate the temperature of the road surface in a manner
similar to that of Example 1. When the estimated temperature of the
road surface is above the second threshold temperature and a
sidewalk is located in the lateral direction of the road surface,
the control unit 13 may acquire the position information of the
vehicle 20 received from the vehicle 20 as position information of
the water sprinkling place, as in Example 1. The control unit 13
may determine based on the map information whether the sidewalk is
located in the lateral direction of the road surface with a
temperature above the second threshold temperature, in a manner
similar to that of Example 3 described above. The control unit 13
may detect the road surface having a temperature above the second
threshold temperature and having a sidewalk located in the lateral
direction of the road surface by analyzing the thermal image data
and captured image data received from the vehicle 20, in a manner
similar to that of Example 3.
[0059] An area around the sidewalk etc. can be cooled by sprinkling
waste water of the vehicle 20 on the road surface having the
sidewalk located in the lateral direction of the road surface. That
is, the external environment can be improved. Moreover, the
possibility that pedestrians etc. walking on the sidewalk may feel
discomfort from heat can be reduced as the area around the sidewalk
etc. is cooled.
EXAMPLE 5
[0060] The information indicating the road surface condition may
include information indicating the amount of dust on the road
surface. In this example, the control unit 13 may determine the
road surface with the amount of dust larger than a first threshold
amount as a water sprinkling place. The control unit 13 may acquire
the information indicating the amount of dust on the road surface
by estimating the amount of dust on the road surface. The control
unit 13 may estimate the amount of dust on the road surface based
on information on an observed or forecasted wind speed on the
ground. When the wind is strong, dust carried by the wind can
accumulate on the road surface. The dust may be at least one of the
following: dust, pollen such as cedar pollen, and yellow dust
particles. The control unit 13 may acquire the information on the
observed or forecasted wind speed on the ground by receiving the
weather information in a manner similar to that of Example 1. The
first threshold amount may be determined as appropriate according
to the type of dust. The first threshold amount may be determined
as appropriate based on the impact of dust on the human body. When
the estimated amount of dust is larger than the first threshold
amount, the control unit 13 may acquire position information of the
road in the area where the information on the wind speed used to
estimate the amount of dust has been observed or forecasted as
position information of the water sprinkling place.
[0061] The possibility that dust may float in the air can be
reduced by sprinkling the waste water of the vehicle 20 on the road
surface with the amount of dust larger than the first threshold
amount. That is, the external environment can be improved.
EXAMPLE 6
[0062] The information indicating the road surface condition may
include information indicating the pavement condition of the road
surface. In this example, the control unit 13 may determine an
unpaved road surface as a water sprinkling place. The control unit
13 may receive information on road construction from an external
server of a local government etc. via the network 2 by the
communication unit 11. The information on road construction may
include information indicating the type of road construction and
position information of a place where the road construction is
underway. Depending on the type of road construction, the pavement
of the road surface may be temporarily removed. The control unit 13
may detect an unpaved road surface by analyzing the information
indicating the type of road construction. When the control unit 13
detects the unpaved road surface by analyzing the information
indicating the type of road construction, the control unit 13 may
acquire position information of the place where the road
construction is underway as position information of the water
sprinkling place.
[0063] The surface of the earth may be exposed on unpaved road
surfaces. Accordingly, dust is more likely to be blown up from
unpaved road surfaces into the air due to wind etc., as compared to
paved road surfaces. The possibility that dust may be blown up from
the unpaved road surface can be reduced by sprinkling the waste
water of the vehicle 20 on the unpaved road surface. That is, the
external environment can be improved.
EXAMPLE 7
[0064] The information indicating the road surface condition may
include information indicating the traffic volume of moving objects
traveling on the road surface. In this example, the control unit 13
may determine the road surface with the traffic volume of moving
objects smaller than a second threshold volume as a water
sprinkling place. The moving objects may be any vehicle that can
travel on the road surface. The moving objects may include
two-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, four-wheeled
vehicles, etc. The control unit 13 may receive the position
information of the vehicle 20 and traveling information of the
vehicle 20 from at least one vehicle 20 via the network 2 by the
communication unit 11. The control unit 13 may estimate the traffic
volume of moving objects at the position of the vehicle 20 by
analyzing the received position information of the vehicle 20 and
traveling information of the vehicle 20. When the estimated traffic
volume of moving objects is smaller than the second threshold
volume, the control unit 13 may acquire the position information of
the vehicle 20 received from the vehicle 20 as position information
of the water sprinkling place, as in Example 1.
[0065] The second threshold volume may be set as appropriate based
on the traffic volume on the road surface during traffic
congestion. For example, the second threshold volume is the traffic
volume on the road surface during traffic congestion or less.
During traffic congestion, the road surface can be polluted by
exhaust gas emitted from vehicles. The possibility that the road
surface may be polluted by exhaust gas can be reduced by sprinkling
the waste water of the vehicle 20 on the road surface with the
traffic volume of moving objects smaller than the second threshold
volume. That is, the external environment can be improved.
Process of Estimating Vehicle
[0066] When the control unit 13 determines the water sprinkling
place, the control unit 13 estimates the vehicle 20 that is going
to travel on the water sprinkling place from the vehicles 20
included in the water sprinkling system 1. The control unit 13 may
receive the position information of the vehicle 20 from at least
one vehicle 20 via the network 2 by the communication unit 11. The
control unit 13 may estimate the vehicle 20 that is going to travel
on the water sprinkling place from the vehicles 20 included in the
water sprinkling system 1, based on the position information of at
least one vehicle 20 received by the communication unit 11.
[0067] In the case where the information processing device 10 is a
delivery server and the vehicle 20 is utilized as a delivery
vehicle, the control unit 13 can determine a delivery route for the
vehicle 20 in advance. The control unit 13 may estimate the vehicle
20 that is going to travel on the water sprinkling place from the
vehicles 20 included in the water sprinkling system 1, based on the
predetermined delivery route for the vehicle 20 and the current
position information of the vehicle 20.
[0068] When the information processing device 10 is a vehicle
dispatch server and the vehicle 20 is utilized as a taxi, the
control unit 13 can acquire position information of a passenger
pickup location and position information of a passenger drop-off
location. In vehicle dispatch services, position information of a
passenger pickup location and position information of a passenger
drop-off location can be determined in advance before a passenger
uses a taxi. The control unit 13 may estimate the vehicle 20 that
is going to travel on the water sprinkling place from the vehicles
20 included in the water sprinkling system 1, based on the
predetermined position information of the passenger pickup location
and position information of the passenger drop-off location and the
current position information of the vehicle 20.
Process of Sending Notification Instructing to Sprinkle Waste
Water
[0069] The control unit 13 may send a notification instructing to
sprinkle the waste water of the vehicle 20 to at least one vehicle
20 that is going to travel on the water sprinkling place via the
network 2 by the communication unit 11. The control unit 13 may
send to the vehicle 20 position information of the water sprinkling
place together with the notification to sprinkle the waste water of
the vehicle 20. When the control unit 13 determines the road
surface with a temperature below the first threshold temperature as
a water sprinkling place, the control unit 13 may send to the
vehicle 20 a notification instructing to spread either or both of
an anti-icer and a deicer together with the notification
instructing to sprinkle the waste water of the vehicle 20. When the
control unit 13 determines the road surface with a temperature
below the first threshold temperature as a water sprinkling place,
the control unit 13 may send to the vehicle 20 a notification
instructing to sprinkle the waste water with the preset set
temperature or higher.
Process of Determining Reward
[0070] The control unit 13 may determine that a preset reward will
be given to each vehicle 20 having performed sprinkling of the
waste water out of a plurality of vehicles 20 that is going to
travel on the water sprinkling place, in the case where the control
unit 13 sends a notification instructing to sprinkle the waste
water to the plurality of vehicles 20. The control unit 13 can
receive a notification that the vehicle 20 has performed sprinkling
of the waste water together with information indicating the
identifier of the vehicle 20 from the vehicle 20 via the network 2
by the communication unit 11. The control unit 13 may identify the
vehicle 20 having performed sprinkling of the waste water by
receiving the notification that the vehicle 20 has performed
sprinkling of the waste water etc. Since the preset reward is given
to each vehicle 20 having performed sprinkling of the waste water,
the drivers of the vehicles 20 can actively input an instruction to
sprinkle the waste water via the input unit 43 and cause the
vehicle 20 to perform sprinkling of the waste water. As the drivers
of the vehicles 20 actively cause the vehicle 20 to perform
sprinkling of the waste water, the waste water can be efficiently
sprinkled on the water sprinkling place.
[0071] In the case where the information processing device 10 is a
vehicle rental server and the vehicles 20 are utilized as rental
vehicles, the reward may be a discount on rental of the vehicle 20.
For example, in the case where the information processing device 10
is a vehicle rental server that provides leasing or rental of FCVs
and the vehicles 20 are lease or rental FCVs, the reward may be a
discount on lease or rental of the vehicle 20. For example, in the
case where the information processing device 10 is a vehicle rental
server that provides a car sharing service and the vehicles 20 are
shared vehicles, the reward is a discount on rental of the vehicle
20. With this configuration, the users of the vehicles 20 for the
rental service can actively cause the vehicle 20 to perform
sprinkling of the waste water.
[0072] In the case where the information processing device 10 is a
vehicle dispatch server and the vehicles 20 are utilized as taxis,
the reward may be an incentive to the driver of the vehicle 20. In
the case where the information processing device 10 is a delivery
server and the vehicles 20 are utilized as delivery vehicles, the
reward may be an incentive to the driver of the vehicle 20. With
this configuration, the drivers can actively cause the vehicle 20
utilized as a taxi to perform sprinkling of the waste water.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 20 includes an electronic
control unit (ECU) 21, a water sprinkling device 30, and a control
device 40. The vehicle 20 may further include a camera 22 and a
camera 23. The ECU 21, the camera 22, the camera 23, the water
sprinkling device 30, and the control device 40 are connected to
each other so that they can communicate with each other.
[0074] The ECU 21 is a control unit that controls various devices
mounted on the vehicle 20. The ECU 21 can output the traveling
information of the vehicle 20 to the control device 40. The
traveling information of the vehicle 20 may include at least one of
the following information: information on the average speed of the
vehicle 20, information on acceleration of the vehicle 20, etc.
[0075] The camera 22 may be an infrared camera. The camera 22 can
generate a thermal image by detecting infrared rays that are
electromagnetic waves propagating from a plurality of object
points. The camera 22 may be located at such a position that it can
generate a thermal image of the road surface around the vehicle 20
when the vehicle 20 is located on the road surface. The camera 22
may be mounted on the dashboard etc. of the vehicle 20.
[0076] The camera 23 may be a visible light camera. The camera 23
can generate a captured image by detecting visible light that is
electromagnetic waves propagating from a plurality of object
points. The camera 23 may be located at such a position that it can
generate a captured image of the road surface around the vehicle 20
when the vehicle 20 is located on the road surface. The camera 23
may be mounted on the dashboard etc. of the vehicle 20.
[0077] The water sprinkling device 30 sprinkles the waste water of
the vehicle 20 as controlled by the control device 40. The water
sprinkling device 30 includes at least one tank 31, at least one
drain pipe 32, and at least one valve 33. The water sprinkling
device 30 may further include a spreading device. The spreading
device can spread either an anti-icer or a deicer.
[0078] The tank 31 may be a container made of plastic, glass,
metal, etc. The waste water of the vehicle 20 is stored in the tank
31.
[0079] In the present disclosure, the "waste water" may be
unnecessary water generated in the vehicle 20. In the case where
the vehicle 20 is equipped with an air conditioner, the waste water
may be water generated by the air conditioner. In the case where
the vehicle 20 is a hydrogen-fueled FCV, the waste water may be
water generated in a fuel cell (FC) stack. In the FC stack, water
can be generated when electricity is generated from the chemical
reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.
[0080] The tank 31 may be configured so that heat generated by the
parts mounted on the vehicle 20 is transferred to the waste water
stored in the tank 31. The tank 31 may be configured so that the
waste water stored in the tank 31 becomes equal to or higher than
the preset set temperature due to heat generated by the battery or
motor of the vehicle 20. The set temperature may be determined as
appropriate according to the structure of the battery or motor of
the vehicle 20. The tank 31 may be mounted near the battery or
motor of the vehicle 20 so that the waste water stored in the tank
31 becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature due to the
heat from the battery or motor. Hereinafter, the tank 31 configured
so that the waste water stored in the tank 31 becomes equal to or
higher than the set temperature due to the heat generated by the
battery or motor is sometimes referred to as the "tank 31a." In the
case where the water sprinkling device 30 includes a plurality of
tanks 31, a part of the tanks 31 may be the tank 31a.
[0081] The drain pipe 32 may be a tubular member made of plastic,
glass, metal, etc. The drain pipe 32 has its one end connected to
the tank 31. When the water sprinkling device 30 includes a
plurality of tanks 31 and a plurality of drain pipes 32, each drain
pipe 32 may have its one end connected to a corresponding one of
the tanks 31. The drain pipe 32 has the other end exposed to the
outside of the vehicle 20. Hereinafter, the drain pipe 32 with its
one end connected to the tank 31a is sometimes referred to as the
"drain pipe 32a."
[0082] The valve 33 is attached to the drain pipe 32. When the
water sprinkling device 30 includes a plurality of drain pipes 32
and a plurality of valves 33, each valve 33 may be attached to a
corresponding one of the drain pipes 32. The valve 33 may be a
solenoid operated valve. The valve 33 opens and closes based on an
electrical signal from the control device 40. Hereinafter, the
valve 33 attached to the drain pipe 32a is sometimes referred to as
the "valve 33a."
[0083] The control device 40 causes the water sprinkling device 30
to sprinkle the waste water. The control device 40 includes a
communication unit 41, a positioning unit 42, the input unit 43, a
display unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 46. The
storage unit 45 and the control unit 46 may be a part of the ECU
21.
[0084] The communication unit 41 can be configured to include at
least one communication module that can be connected to the network
2. For example, the communication module is a module compatible
with a mobile communication standard such as Long Term Evolution
(LTE), the 4th generation (4G), or the 5th generation (5G).
[0085] The positioning unit 42 can acquire the position information
of the vehicle 20. The positioning unit 42 outputs the position
information of the vehicle 20 to the control unit 46. The
positioning unit 42 can be configured to include a Global
Positioning System (GPS) receiver module.
[0086] The input unit 43 can accept input from the user. The input
unit 43 can be configured to include at least one input interface
that can accept input from the user. The input interface may be a
physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen
integral with a display, a microphone, etc. The input unit 43 may
be provided in the control device 40 or may be an external input
device connected to the control device 40. In the case where the
input unit 43 is an external input device connected to the control
device 40, the input unit 43 and the control device 40 may be
connected by any connection method. Examples of the connection
method include Universal Serial Bus (USB), High-Definition
Multimedia Interface (HDMI) (registered trademark), and Bluetooth
(registered trademark).
[0087] The display unit 44 can display any information. The display
unit 44 can be configured to include a display. The display may be
a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electro-luminescence
(EL) display, etc. The display unit 44 may be provided in the
control device 40 or may be an external output device connected to
the control device 40. In the case where the display unit 44 is an
external output device connected to the control device 40, the
display unit 44 and the control device 40 may be connected by any
connection method. Examples of the connection method include USB,
HDMI (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered
trademark).
[0088] Like the configuration of the storage unit 12, the storage
unit 45 can be configured to include at least one semiconductor
memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory,
or a combination of at least two selected from the group consisting
of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, and an optical
memory. The storage unit 45 may function as a main storage device,
an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 45
stores data to be used for operation of the control device 40 and
data obtained by operation of the control device 40.
[0089] Like the control unit 13, the control unit 46 can be
configured to include at least one processor, at least one
dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The control unit 46
can execute a process related to operation of the control device 40
while controlling each unit of the control device 40.
[0090] Functions of the control device 40 are implemented by
executing a control program according to the present embodiment by
a processor corresponding to the control unit 46. That is, the
functions of the control device 40 are implemented by software. The
control program causes a computer to function as the control device
40 by causing the computer to perform operation of the control
device 40. That is, the computer functions as the control device 40
by performing operation of the control device 40 according to the
control program.
[0091] A part or all of the functions of the control device 40 may
be implemented by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control
unit 46. That is, a part or all of the functions of the control
device 40 may be implemented by hardware.
Process of Sending Various Types of Information
[0092] The control unit 46 may acquire the position information of
the vehicle 20 by the positioning unit 42 at preset time intervals.
The control unit 46 may send the position information of the
vehicle 20 to the information processing device 10 via the network
2 by the communication unit 41 at the time intervals. The time
interval may be set as appropriate based on the average speed of
the vehicle 20 etc.
[0093] The control unit 46 may acquire the thermal image data
generated by the camera 22 at preset time intervals. The control
unit 46 may send the thermal image data to the information
processing device 10 via the network 2 by the communication unit 41
at the time intervals. The time interval may be set as appropriate
based on the average speed of the vehicle 20 etc. The control unit
46 may send the thermal image data generated by the camera 22 to
the information processing device 10 while the vehicle 20 is
stopped.
[0094] The control unit 46 may acquire the captured image data
generated by the camera 23 at preset time intervals. The control
unit 46 may send the captured image data to the information
processing device 10 via the network 2 by the communication unit 41
at the time intervals. The time interval may be set as appropriate
based on the average speed of the vehicle 20 etc. The control unit
46 may send the captured image data generated by the camera 23 to
the information processing device 10 while the vehicle 20 is
stopped.
[0095] The control unit 46 may acquire the traveling information of
the vehicle 20 from the ECU 21 at preset time intervals. The
control unit 46 may send the traveling information of the vehicle
20 to the information processing device 10 via the network 2 by the
communication unit 41 at the time intervals. The time interval may
be set as appropriate based on the average speed of the vehicle 20
etc.
Process of Sprinkling Waste Water
[0096] The control unit 46 can receive a notification instructing
to sprinkle the waste water of the vehicle 20 from the information
processing device 10 via the network 2 by the communication unit
41. When the control unit 46 receives the notification instructing
to sprinkle the waste water of the vehicle 20, the control unit 46
causes the water sprinkling device 30 to sprinkle the waste water
of the vehicle 20 as in the following examples.
EXAMPLE 1
[0097] The control unit 46 may cause the display unit 44 to display
an instruction to sprinkle the waste water of the vehicle 20 when
the control unit 46 receives a notification instructing to sprinkle
the waste water of the vehicle 20 from the information processing
device 10. By visually looking at the instruction displayed on the
display unit 44, the driver of the vehicle 20 can know that the
information processing device 10 has instructed the vehicle 20 to
sprinkle the waste water of the vehicle 20. When performing
sprinkling of the waste water of the vehicle 20, the driver can
enter an input instructing to perform sprinkling of the waste water
via the input unit 43.
[0098] The control unit 46 can receive the position information of
the water sprinkling place together with the notification
instructing to sprinkle the waste water of the vehicle 20 from the
information processing device 10. In this case, the control unit 46
may cause the display unit 44 to display the position information
of the water sprinkling place together with the instruction to
sprinkle the waste water of the vehicle 20. The driver of the
vehicle 20 can know the water sprinkling place by visually looking
at the water sprinkling place displayed on the display unit 44. The
driver of the vehicle 20 can enter an input instructing to perform
sprinkling of the waste water via the input unit 43 when the
vehicle 20 reaches the water sprinkling place.
[0099] The control unit 46 can accept the input instructing to
perform sprinkling of the waste water by the input unit 43. When
the control unit 46 accepts the input instructing to perform
sprinkling of the waste water, the control unit 46 causes the water
sprinkling device 30 to sprinkle the waste water. For example, the
control unit 46 outputs an electrical signal for opening the valve
33 to the valve 33. When the valve 33 is opened, a part of the
waste water stored in the tank 31 is discharged to the outside of
the vehicle 20 through the drain pipe 32. The control unit 46
outputs an electrical signal for closing the valve 33 to the valve
33 after a preset set time elapses. The set time may be set as
appropriate according to the amount of waste water that can be
sprinkled from the tank 31 at a time.
EXAMPLE 2
[0100] The control unit 46 may automatically cause the water
sprinkling device 30 to sprinkle the waste water when the control
unit 46 receives a notification instructing to sprinkle the waste
water of the vehicle 20 from the information processing device 10.
In the case where the vehicle 20 is a vehicle of a preset level of
driving automation, the control unit 46 may control driving of the
vehicle 20 so that the water sprinkling place received from the
information processing device 10 is included in a planned travel
route of the vehicle 20. The control unit 46 may cause the water
sprinkling device 30 to sprinkle the waste water when the vehicle
20 reaches the water sprinkling place.
[0101] For example, in the case where the information processing
device 10 is a delivery server and the vehicle 20, which is a
delivery vehicle, is a vehicle of any level of driving automation,
the control unit 46 may adjust the delivery route of the vehicle 20
so that the water sprinkling place received from the information
processing device 10 is included in the delivery route. The control
unit 46 may cause the water sprinkling device 30 to sprinkle the
waste water when the vehicle 20 reaches the water sprinkling
place.
EXAMPLE 3
[0102] The control unit 46 can receive a notification instructing
to spread either or both of an anti-icer and a deicer together with
a notification instructing to sprinkle the waste water of the
vehicle 20 from the information processing device 10 by the
communication unit 41. In this case, the control unit 46 may cause
the water sprinkling device 30 to sprinkle the waste water and
cause the spreading device included in the water sprinkling device
30 to spread either an anti-icer or a deicer.
[0103] As described above in Example 1 of "Process of Sprinkling
Waste Water," the control unit 46 may accept an input instructing
to perform sprinkling of the waste water by the input unit 43. In
this case, when the control unit 46 accepts the input instructing
to perform sprinkling of the waste water, the control unit 46 may
cause the water sprinkling device 30 to sprinkle the waste water
and cause the spreading device included in the water sprinkling
device 30 to spread either an anti-icer or a deicer.
[0104] As described above in Example 2 of "Process of Sprinkling
Waste Water," the control unit 46 may automatically cause the water
sprinkling device 30 to sprinkle the waste water. In this case, the
control unit 46 may automatically cause the water sprinkling device
30 to sprinkle the waste water and automatically cause the
spreading device included in the water sprinkling device 30 to
spread either an anti-icer or a deicer.
EXAMPLE 4
[0105] The control unit 46 can receive a notification instructing
to sprinkle the waste water with the preset set temperature or
higher. In this case, the control unit 46 causes the water
sprinkling device 30 to sprinkle the waste water with the first
threshold temperature or higher. For example, the control unit 46
outputs an electrical signal for opening the valve 33a to the valve
33a. When the valve 33a is opened, a part of the waste water stored
in the tank 31a is discharged to the outside of the vehicle 20
through the drain pipe 32a. As described above, the tank 31a is
configured so that heat generated by the battery or motor of the
vehicle 20 is transferred to the waste water stored in the tank
31a.
[0106] As the waste water stored in the tank 31a is discharged from
the vehicle 20, the waste water with a temperature above the first
threshold temperature is sprinkled. As described above, the control
unit 46 may output an electrical signal for closing the valve 33a
to the valve 33a after a preset set time elapses.
[0107] As described above in Example 1 of "Process of Sprinkling
Waste Water," when the control unit 46 accepts an input instructing
to perform sprinkling of the waste water by the input unit 43, the
control unit 46 may cause the water sprinkling device 30 to
sprinkle the waste water with a temperature above the first
threshold temperature. As described above in Example 2 of "Process
of Sprinkling Waste Water," the control unit 46 may automatically
cause the water sprinkling device 30 to sprinkle the waste water
with a temperature above the first threshold temperature.
Process of Sending Notification That Sprinkling of Waste Water Has
Been Performed
[0108] Once the control unit 46 causes the water sprinkling device
30 to sprinkle the waste water, the control unit 46 sends a
notification that sprinkling of the waste water has been performed
together with the information indicating the identifier of the
vehicle 20 to the information processing device 10 via the network
2 by the communication unit 41.
System Operation
[0109] An example of operation of the water sprinkling system 1
shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. This
operation is an example of a water sprinkling method according to
the present embodiment.
[0110] In the control device 40, the control unit 46 sends various
types of information to the information processing device 10 via
the network 2 by the communication unit 41 (step S10). The various
types of information may include at least one selected from the
group consisting of the position information of the vehicle 20, the
thermal image data generated by the camera 22, the captured image
data generated by the camera 23, and the traveling information of
the vehicle 20.
[0111] In the information processing device 10, the control unit 13
receives the various types of information from the control device
40 via the network 2 by the communication unit 11 (step S11). The
control unit 13 determines the water sprinkling place based on the
information indicating the road surface condition (step S12). The
control unit 13 estimates the vehicle 20 that is going to travel on
the determined water sprinkling place (step S13). The control unit
13 sends a notification instructing to sprinkle the waste water of
the vehicle 20 to the vehicle 20 that is going to travel on the
water sprinkling place via the network 2 by the communication unit
11 (step S14).
[0112] In the control device 40, the control unit 46 receives the
notification instructing to sprinkle the waste water of the vehicle
20 from the information processing device 10 via the network 2 by
the communication unit 41 (step S15). The control unit 46 causes
the water sprinkling device 30 to sprinkle the waste water (step
S16). Once the control unit 46 causes the water sprinkling device
30 to sprinkle the waste water, the control unit 46 sends a
notification that sprinkling of the waste water of the vehicle 20
has been performed together with the information indicating the
identifier of the vehicle 20 to the information processing device
10 via the network 2 by the communication unit 41 (step S17).
[0113] In the information processing device 10, the control unit 13
receives the notification that sprinkling of the waste water of the
vehicle 20 has been performed together with the information
indicating the identifier of the vehicle 20 from the vehicle 20 via
the network 2 by the communication unit 11 (step S18). In the case
where the control unit 13 sends the notification instructing to
sprinkle the waste water to a plurality of vehicles 20 that are
going to travel on the water sprinkling place, the control unit 13
determines that a preset reward is given to each vehicle 20 having
performed sprinkling of the waste water out of the vehicles 20
(step S19).
[0114] As described above, in the water sprinkling system 1, the
information processing device 10 determines the water sprinkling
place based on the information indicating the road surface
condition. The vehicle 20 sprinkles the waste water of the vehicle
20 on the water sprinkling place. With such a configuration, the
external environment can be improved by sprinkling the waste water
of the vehicle 20.
[0115] The present disclosure is not limited to the above
embodiment. For example, a plurality of blocks illustrated in the
block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided into
blocks. Instead of performing the plurality of steps of the
flowchart in chronological order as described above, the steps may
be performed in parallel or in a different order either according
to the processing capacity of the device that performs each step or
as necessary. Other changes can also be made to the present
disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present disclosure.
[0116] For example, in the above embodiment, the information
processing device 10 determines the water sprinkling place.
However, the control device 40 may determine the water sprinkling
place. In this case, the control unit 46 of the control device 40
may receive from other vehicles 20 located near the vehicle 20
equipped with the control device 40 thermal image data generated by
the cameras 22 of these other vehicles 20 by the communication unit
41. Communication between the vehicle 20 equipped with the control
device 40 and these other vehicles 20 may be vehicle-to-vehicle
communication. The communication unit 41 may include a
communication module for the vehicle-to-vehicle communication.
These other vehicles 20 may be stopped vehicles. The control unit
46 may determine the water sprinkling place based on the thermal
image data, which is the information indicating the road surface
condition, acquired from these other vehicles 20. The control unit
46 may cause the water sprinkling device 30 to sprinkle the waste
water on the determined water sprinkling place.
[0117] For example, in the information processing device 10, the
control unit 13 may receive the information indicating the road
surface condition from an external server of a local government
etc. via the network 2 by the communication unit 11. The control
unit 13 may receive a notification instructing to determine the
water sprinkling place from the external server of the local
government etc. via the network 2 by the communication unit 11. The
control unit 13 may determine the water sprinkling place when it
receives the notification instructing to determine the water
sprinkling place.
* * * * *